chagrin - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
chagrin Word Meanings
- a feeling of distress or embarrassment caused by failure or disappointment
- to feel distressed or humiliated
chagrin Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
chagrin Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ʃəˈɡrɪn/
US
/ʃəˈɡrɪn/
chagrin Word Etymology
chagrin = chagrin (root) → Middle French → English. Imagine feeling a heavy ache in your chest when you're embarrassed, like an invisible weight pressing down on your heart.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Chagrin is a noun describing a distressing embarrassment or disappointment caused by failure, a heavy, uneasy feeling that follows a setback. It can also be a verb: to chagrin someone means to cause them that distress or humiliation. The sense is more formal and literary than everyday 'embarrassment' or 'disappointment,' and it often carries a rueful or ironic tone in reflective writing. In use, you might speak of chagrin after a plan misfires, a blunder becomes public, or an expectation is unmet. It implies not just discomfort, but a moral or social sting that lingers beyond the moment.
Usage Reminders
- Use for formal or literary tone • Distinguish from embarrassment and disappointment • Use with events that sting morally or socially • Can take 'feel' or 'cause' as verbs • Often collocates with 'fell into' or 'wash over' • Not a casual synonym
Common Misconceptions
- Not simply sadness or anger
- Not the same as shame in all contexts
- Often mistaken for 'embarrassment' in casual speech
- Can imply social or moral weight
- Verb form can mean to distress someone
Thinking Differences
English tends to frame chagrin as a literary, slightly elevated emotion tied to social stakes; learners often mix it with shame or embarrassment without the nuanced nuance of distance or rueful reflection.
Learning Tips
- Memorize both noun and verb forms
- Pair with verbs feel/produce to show subject or object
- Use in formal writing or reflective speech
- Compare with synonyms: disappointment, embarrassment, shame
- Note its literary tone while describing personal setbacks
- Practice with a social or moral context to feel the weight
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'chagrin'?
A.Joy
B.Excitement
C.Confusion
D.Annoyance
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'chagrin' used correctly?
A.The news brought chagrin to everyone at the party.
B.He felt chagrin when he won the competition.
C.She was filled with chagrin after receiving the award.
D.The chagrin weather made the picnic more enjoyable.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'chagrin'?
A.Happiness
B.Irritation
C.Satisfaction
D.Amusement
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'chagrin'?
A.Delight
B.Anger
C.Disappointment
D.Frustration
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life situation would you most likely feel 'chagrin'?
A.Receiving a surprise gift
B.Being praised for your hard work
C.Winning a lottery
D.Forgetting an important appointment
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